Actually, Summer is Coming, Not Winter

Unless you are hiding under a rock and not seeing the light of day, it is quite obvious that summer is just around the corner.  Sure we all need to figure out what we’ll do with the kids while school is out and maybe where we might go for vacation.  However, this also a time to get some things done around the house in preparation for the summer months.  Just think, summer is coming, time to change the filters.  Just before summer is a great time to get those air filters switched out so that your ventilation system works as efficiently as possible.  Also, don’t forget about the filter in the refrigerator.  Most new models will let you know when it’s time to change it, but some don’t.  Because of the extreme heat, most of us drink a lot more water in the summer months so it’s best to change it now.  A good thing to think about doing just before summer hits is to deep clean your carpets.  The buildup of dirt, grime, pet dander, etc. during the cooler months can really start to make your carpets dull and can make a room stuffy.  You want to brighten up your rooms by removing all the old and start the summer season off right.  Don’t forget to put away all the extra blankets and throws that won’t be needed in the warmer summer. 

Now that the inside of the house is ready to go, it’s time to turn your attention to the outside.  If you are thinking of doing any outside projects, like planting a garden, building a fire pit, or just refinishing your outdoor furniture, now is the time to do it.  First, projects that will take a lot of labor are better done now than in the sweltering heat of summer.  Also, you don’t want to have any half-finished projects lying around when you may be entertaining in the summer.  Now is also a great time to get those chores that you have put off, like cleaning your windows.  Last, this is also a great time to think about saving money by installing solar screens to block out the heat once summer begins.  In Westeros, winter may be coming, but here in the real world, it’s summer we really need to prepare for.  

Tall! Decaf! Cappuccino!

The Starbucks Effect is real and I am not talking about the suave fighter pilot from Battlestar Galactica.  I mean Starbucks coffee.  While I myself love to frequent the establishment and really can’t get enough of the pure liquid gold that they sell, your local coffee house is actually affecting real estate.  It’s hard to believe, but if you are looking to buy a home or even sell your existing one, the closer that home is to a Starbucks, can dramatically affect the price.  It was once believed that once an area became hot and trendy, Starbucks move in.  After 17 years of research, the truth is actually surprising.  It has been discovered that a Starbucks coming into a neighborhood, actually increases the value of the surrounding homes and improves the area.  According to TIME Magazine, homes closest to the coffee chain have at times more than doubled in value, and in some areas, have values increased almost 96%. 

As a buyer, it makes sense to look for neighborhoods where a Starbucks is being built or has just opened so as to get in on the ground floor, so to speak, before home values increase.  For a seller, when you see a Starbucks entering your neighborhood, sit back, relax and watch your equity build up around you.  Now take that extra money in your pocket and go buy yourself a Venti Iced Chai Tea Latte with soy and two Splenda.